WVC 2025: Entertainment and workshops

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Entertainment

Keynote with Connie Britton

To kick off WVC 2025, Connie Britton will take the stage at the Oceanside Ballroom, Level 2, to welcome attendees. Britton will participate in a Q&A moderated by Heather Prendergast, Viticus Group Board President. Britton is best known for her roles on television shows Friday Night Lights, American Horror Story, Nashville, and The White Lotus. Britton is also a GoodWill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program which advocates for poverty eradication and women’s empowerment. The event is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, and doors open to attendees at 8:00 AM with the event beginning at 8:30 AM.

The Wild Wonder Showcase hosted by Critter Fixers

Day 1 of WVC will end with the Wild Wonder Showcase. The event, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, will be hosted by Terence Ferguson, DVM, and Vernard Hodges, DVM, from the hit Nat Geo television show Critter Fixers: Country Vets who will lead the crowd through a night full of contortionists, acrobatics, and more performance artistry. Then, the show will feature Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, lead by Gregory Popovich, which will highlight the talents of over 30 rescue animals. The event doors will open at 7:00 PM and the show will go from 7:30-9 PM. This event will take place in the Oceanside Ballroom, Level 2.

Vet Tech Reception

On Monday, March 3, a veterinary technician reception will be hosted at the newest event venue at the Mandalay Bay, Swingers Crazy Golf. The event will honor the invaluable contributions from veterinary technicians. The event is sponsored by Zoetis and Purina and badged guests are allowed, but must be 18 and over.

Ludacris!

On the final night of WVC, the Viticus Group is welcoming Ludacris to the stage. The concert is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and the doors will open at 7:30 with the show officially beginning at 8:00 PM. Ludacris is a multi-platinum artist best known for his hits “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” Southern Hospitality,” and “Money Maker.” Conference badges are required for entry and seating is limited.

Workshops

Sunday March 2

Water Quality for Veterinary Practitioners

On Sunday March 2, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM, Jessica Sanders, DVM, DABVP(Fish Practice), will explain to attendees how to tell if the water for aquatic patients is considered “good.” Throughout the lecture, she will share what is required to assess water quality for all types of fish systems, where to find reference ranges for unusual species, understand the parameters and effects on fish behavior and health, and more. This workshop is an extra $70 and attendees will earn 2 continuing education credits.

Design of an Emergency Animal Shelter

Cynthia Faux, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Large Animal), will lead an interactive tabletop session to explore the issues and challenges that veterinary professionals face as they work to establish temporary emergency shelters in their community with stakeholders. Through the workshop participants will work together to create an emergency shelter using realistic challenges and scenarios. This workshop will begin at 2:00 PM and end at 5:50 PM with attendees earning 4 continuing education credits.

Monday March 3

Canine Problem Behavior Interactive Case Discussion

In this hour and 50-minute interactive workshop beginning at 10:00 AM, the attendees will discuss the basic approach to diagnosing and treating general behavior problems in canine patients. Lead by Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, and Julia Albright, DVM, MA, DACVB, attendees will work in small groups to design treatment plans for selected cases and have the chance to submit questions and case examples in advance. This workshop is an additional $70 and attendees will earn 2 continuing education cases.

Is that the Cecum? Radiography in Exotic Companion Mammals

Grayson Doss, DVM, DIPL. ACZM, will lead this interactive workshop to cover the basics of radiography in common pet small mammal species. Through the workshop, which will begin at 12:00 PM and go until 1:50PM, attendees and Doss will tackle common challenging radiographic findings as well as tips and tricks. This workshop is an additional $70 and attendees will earn 2 continuing education credits.

Tuesday March 4

ICU Boot Camp: What You Should Know on Day 1

Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS( ECC, SAIM, CP-FE), will educate attendees during her 2-hour workshop to provide intensive care unit veterinary technicians the information they need to begin a successful career in the ICU. Plummer will include dosage calculations, infectious patients, proper CPR techniques based on the RECOVE initiative, compassion fatigue, and more. The workshop begins at 10:00 AM and will last until 11:50, for an additional cost of $70. Attendees will also earn 2 continuing education credits.

Forbidden Clinic: An Interactive Game-Based Workshop

Beginning at 2:00 PM, attendees can enter the world of Forbidden Clinic, a game-based workshop that is designed for veterinary practice managers, veterinarians, and clinic owners. The attendees in this session will enter a simulated clinic environment where in order to succeed, the attendees will need teamwork, resource management, and effective communication. Once the game is over the instructors, Robin Brogdon, MA, Andrea Crabtree, BS, PHR, SPHR, CCFP, FFCP, PHRCA, CVPM, Leslie Mamalis, CVA (EMERITUS), and Rhonda Bell, CVPM, CDMP, PCM, will debrief the experience to highlight learning points and investigate practical strategies to improve clinical management. This session is an additional cost of $70 and attendees will earn 2 continuing education credits.

Wednesday March 5

Medical Mystery: A Veterinary Technician Escape Room Workshop

In this immersive escape room experience, Michelle Rice, LVT, VTS(ECC), will educate veterinary technicians in a high-stakes workshop. The attendees will work in teams to tackle 4 unique escape rooms filled with puzzles and clues to test their knowledge of veterinary anatomy, pharmacology, medical math, and pathophysiology. This workshop is an additional $70 and attendees can earn 1 continuing education credit. The workshop will begin at 11:00 AM and end at 11:50 AM.

Sharpen your Skills: Dental Equipment, Maintenance, Sharpening, & Identification

In one of the final workshops of WVC, Denise Rollings, CVT, VTS(Dentistry), and Chelsea Musick will teach attendees the skills related to the appropriate use and maintenance of dental equipment in veterinary practices. The skills that will be taught include stations for ultrasonic and hand scaling, dental bur identification, the importance and use of loupes, extraction tool identification, and more. The course is interactive for an additional fee of $70. Attendees can earn 3 continuing education credits for the 2:00 PM- 4:50 PM session.